A young Eagle graduate has been soaring high this summer and will continue to fly even after he is to report to college. Daven Murphree of Harmony is scheduled to attend the 2013 Pan American Junior Athletics Championship, August 23-25 in Medellin, Colombia. He qualified for the trip to Medellin with a jump of 16’ 8.75” in Des Moines, Iowa, with his final meet of three in 13 days. The jump earned him a trip to the Pan American Junior Athletic Championships.

Medellin is a modern progressive city that has hosted numerous athletic events in the last few years. The Pan Am Junior Athletics Championships are open to athletes age 16 to 19 as of December 31, 2013.

In order to win a spot on the roster, Murphree and his mother and grandfather raced through a hectic two weeks in early June.

After graduating from Harmony High School on June 7, Daven Murphree and his mom, Deena, flew to Albuquerque the next morning. He vaulted at the Great Southwest Track and Field Classic on the campus of the University of New Mexico Saturday, June 8, as part of Team Texas.

Murphree won the meet, finishing first with 16’11”, while Dylan Duvio from Louisiana finished second with 16’5.25”, Noah Gilfillan of Corsicana, third with 16’5.25”, and Bo Haddock of Arizona fourth at 15’ 5.5”.

The next week, the pair traveled to Greensboro, N.C. where Murphree vaulted at University of North Carolina A & T on Sunday, June 16, in the 2013 New Balance Outdoor Nationals. Already holding the New Balance Indoor crown with a vault of 17’1”. Murphree grabbed the indoor title with his best jump at 17 feet. With his accomplishment, Murphree was again named an All-American as he had been earlier this year at the 2012 New Balance Indoor Nationals.

Following Murphree on the winners platform were Devin King (LA), second with 16’ 8”, Aaron Owens (OH), at 16’ 4”, and Timothy Moses (PA) with 16’ 4”.

To travel to Des Moines, Iowa, the Murphrees elected to travel by car and carry the poles on top. On this trip, it was grandfather, Lee Murphree, and his girlfriend, Katie Kerwin, who accompanied the young track and field star. The 2013 USA Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships was held at Drake University in Des Moines on June 20. Daven Murphree and Dylan Duvio (LA) both jumped 16’ 8.75” but Murphree had less attempts so he captured first, Duvio second. Cole Walsh at 16’ 4.75” finished third and Everett Favor (Univ. of Ok.) was close behind in fourth with 16’ 4”.

At the conclusion of their event, Murphree and Duvio spent about three hours being processed for the upcoming trip to Columbia. This included drug testing, filling out several pages of personal information, and being outfitted with athletic clothing for Team USA. It was very similar to what our American athletes go through in preparation for the Olympics and the uniforms will be like the ones worn at the London Olympic games in 2012.

The dates for the Junior Pan Am Games coincide with starting of the fall semester at Stephen F. Austin State University where Murphree will join the track and field team. As the young athlete took a two week break before resuming training, his biggest worry was getting his track coach to let him report late to enroll!!!